APC renewal

An Assessment Practising Certificate (APC) is valid for three years and needs to be renewed at the end of this 3 years. A renewal can take up to 16 weeks, if the first report doesn't meet the SASC standard for an APC. Applications should not be sent in any earlier than 16 weeks before the renewal date.

To renew an APC with the BDA

The BDA follows the SASC guidelines for APC renewal, as does PATOSS and The Dyslexia Guild.

For applicants whose first APC was issued before 1st September 2018:

• submit a full, anonymised Diagnostic Assessment report written within the last 18 months to SASC guidelines. The submitted Diagnostic Assessment report must be your own independent work that has not been submitted to any other APC awarding organisation (Dyslexia Action/PATOSS).
• submit an APC Renewal Form and CPD Log showing evidence of a minimum of 20 hours CPD across the previous three years. Your CPD log should provide evidence of the following five areas. At least 5 of the; hours should cover C1 and C2 which are SASC approved CPD entry must be accompanied by the correct date of the course, its correct title and the relevant SASC reference which can be found on the certificate of attendance

• C1 principles of psychometrics, statistics, assessment and underlying theory

• C2 SpLD testing methods, interpretation and test materials

• a minimum of 15 hours (supplementary), may contain more of C1 and C2, above, in addition to
• S1 changes in regulations and legislation relating to SpLDs
• S2 developments in SpLD research
• S3 approaches to teaching and support for SpLD
• CPD can be a combination of formal CPD, e.g. attendance at conferences, training and informal training, e.g. your own study, training delivered to colleagues.
• SASC approved mentoring is recommended as part of your CPD.
• you should keep copies of certificates in case they are required for audit purposes.
• maintain Associate Membership of the British Dyslexia Association (AMBDA) for the duration of the APC
• agree to adhere to the BDA Code of Ethics
• pay the renewal fee of £180 which includes £30 to update SASC list of APC holder

For applicants whose first APC was issued after 1st September 2018:

For their first renewal applicants should:

• submit a full, anonymised Diagnostic Assessment report written within the last 18 month to SASC guidelines
• submit an APC Renewal Form and CPD Log showing evidence of 10 hours CPD each year, including 5 hours of SASC approved training each year . Your CPD log should provide evidence of the following five areas; a minimum of 5 hours (core) SASC approved training each year covering:
  • C1 principles of psychometrics, statistics, assessment and underlying theory
  • C2 SpLD testing methods, interpretation and test materials
  • Any SASC approved CPD entry must be accompanied by the correct date of the course, its correct title and the relevant SASC reference which can be found on the certificate of attendance.
  • The remaining CPD (supplementary), may contain more of C1 and C2 above, in addition to
  • S1 changes in regulations and legislation relating to SpLDs
  • S2 developments in SpLD research
  • S3 approaches to teaching and support for SpLD
  • CPD covering Exam Access Arrangements can only be used for 5 hours SASC approved CPD across the 3-year period. CPD can be a combination of formal CPD, e.g. attendance at conferences, training and informal training, e.g. your own study, training delivered to colleagues.
  • SASC approved mentoring is recommended as part of your CPD.
  • You should keep copies of certificates in case they are required for audit purposes
• which covers the principles of psychometrics, statistics and underlying theory of SpLD testing methods. The remaining CPD can cover changes in regulations and legislation relating to SpLD, development in SpLD research and approaches to teaching and support for SpLD. CPD can be a combination of formal CPD, e.g. attendance at conferences and training, and informal training, e.g. your own study, training delivered to colleagues. CPD which covers Exam Access Arrangements can only be used for 5 hours SASC approved CPD across the 3-year period. SASC approved mentoring is recommended as part of your CPD. Copies of certificates should be attached
• maintain Associate Membership of the British Dyslexia Association (AMBDA) for the duration of the APC
• agree to adhere to the BDA Code of Ethics
• pay the renewal fee of £180 this includes £30 to update SASC list of APC holders
• It is recommended that applicants read the following documents:
  • SASC Guidelines for the Review of APC Reports
  • Suitable Tests for the Assessment of SpLDs
  • SASC Report Proforma See page links
  • check the SASC website for the latest information.

Please note that if you have previously held an APC, with any of the issuing bodies, and your APC has lapsed, you should renew through the normal renewal route by supplying a CPD log, a full diagnostic assessment report written within the last 18 months which meets SASC guidelines

Renewing an APC for the 4th time

Assessors who have demonstrated excellent professional practice by successfully renewing their APC three times, are not required to submit a diagnostic report for their 4th renewal, which will be their 5th APC. They must still commit to CPD and submit a CPD log, meeting SASC guidelines on this renewal and maintain professional membership of their professional bodies.

• 4th and subsequent APC renewals will need to provide evidence of completing SASC authorised training in the New Report Format (NRF) to maintain the validity of their APC.

Sending your application to the BDA

Email your APC renewal with evidence of your payment to accreditation@bdadyslexia.org.uk . Please do not submit your application for renewal more than 16 weeks before the renewal date.